How to get started with Claude Code

If you're already a Cursor fan (and honestly, who isn't?), you might be wondering what all the buzz is about regarding Claude Code. Here's the thing: Claude Code isn't trying to replace Cursor. Think of it more like Cursor's incredibly smart cousin who happens to live in your terminal.

While Cursor excels at in-editor AI assistance with its sleek interface and seamless code completion, Claude Code brings a different kind of power—one that's particularly compelling when you need deep codebase understanding, complex refactoring, or want to work with an AI that has access to your entire development environment.

The beauty of Claude Code lies in its approach. Instead of being confined to a sidebar or chat panel, it operates directly in your terminal with full access to your project structure, git history, and development tools. It can run commands, edit multiple files simultaneously, and maintain context across your entire codebase in ways that feel almost magical when you first experience it.

But here's what makes this really interesting for Cursor users: Claude Code integrates beautifully with Cursor itself. You can run Claude Code directly within Cursor's integrated terminal, giving you the best of both worlds—Cursor's excellent IDE features combined with Claude Code's powerful terminal-based assistance.

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is a command-line interface (CLI) tool that brings Anthropic's Claude AI directly into your terminal [1]. Unlike traditional coding assistants that work within specific editors, Claude Code operates as a standalone application that can understand your entire project structure, execute commands, edit files, and interact with your development environment in sophisticated ways.

Think of it this way: if Cursor's AI features are like having a smart autocomplete and chat assistant built into your editor, Claude Code is like having an experienced developer sitting next to you who can see your entire screen, access all your tools, and help with complex, multi-step coding tasks.

What makes Claude Code particularly interesting is its "agentic" approach to coding assistance. Rather than just answering questions or suggesting code snippets, it can autonomously perform sequences of actions to accomplish larger goals. Need to refactor a complex module? Claude Code can analyze the code, identify dependencies, make the necessary changes across multiple files, run tests to verify everything works, and even commit the changes to git—all while keeping you informed about each step.

For Cursor users, this represents a fascinating complement to your existing workflow. While Cursor excels at real-time code assistance and in-editor AI chat, Claude Code shines when you need deeper project analysis, complex multi-file operations, or want an AI assistant that can work with your entire development toolchain. The two tools don't compete—they collaborate.

Claude Code vs Cursor: Understanding the Relationship

Claude Code and Cursor aren't competitors—they're complementary tools that can dramatically enhance your development workflow when used together. Many developers initially approach Claude Code with the question "Should I switch from Cursor?" when the better question is "How can I use both tools to become more productive?"

Cursor is fundamentally an IDE built on top of Visual Studio Code, enhanced with powerful AI features [2]. Its strength lies in providing intelligent code completion, real-time suggestions, and contextual assistance while you're actively writing code. Cursor's agent feature excels at making targeted changes within the editor interface, offering a visual, interactive experience that feels natural for most coding tasks.

Claude Code, on the other hand, is a command-line interface that operates outside of any specific editor [3]. It's designed for more complex, multi-step operations that might involve analyzing entire codebases, coordinating changes across multiple files, or integrating with various development tools.

From a cost perspective, there are important differences to consider. Cursor operates on a subscription model—$20 per month gets you 500 premium model requests, which covers most developers' needs quite well [4]. Claude Code uses a pay-per-use model that can range from a few dollars for light usage to significantly more for heavy development sessions. In practical terms, a 90-minute Claude Code session might cost around $8, compared to roughly $2 worth of your Cursor subscription for similar work [5].

The key insight for Cursor users is that adding Claude Code to your toolkit doesn't mean abandoning what you already love about Cursor. Instead, it means having access to a more powerful tool for specific scenarios while continuing to use Cursor for the majority of your development work.

Getting Started: Installation & Setup

Getting Claude Code up and running is straightforward and typically takes just a few minutes.

Installation Steps

Step 1: Install Claude Code Open your terminal and run:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Important note: Do not use sudo with this command, even if you encounter permission errors. Using sudo npm install -g can lead to permission issues and security risks [6].

Step 2: Navigate to Your Project Change to the directory where you want to use Claude Code:

cd your-project-directory

Step 3: Launch Claude Code Simply run:

claude

Step 4: Complete Authentication Claude Code offers several authentication options [7]:

• Anthropic Console: The default option that most developers choose. You'll complete an OAuth process and requires active billing at console.anthropic.com.
• Claude App with Pro or Max Plan: If you already have a Claude Pro or Max subscription, you can use those credentials for excellent value.
• Enterprise Platforms: For enterprise users, Claude Code can work with Amazon Bedrock or Google Vertex AI.

The authentication process is straightforward—Claude Code will open a browser window where you'll log in and grant the necessary permissions.

Common Installation Issues

Permission Errors on macOS/Linux If you see permission errors during installation, configure npm to use a different directory:

mkdir ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Windows WSL Issues Windows users might encounter platform detection issues. Try:

npm config set os linux
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code --force --no-os-check

Integrating Claude Code with Cursor

The integration between Claude Code and Cursor creates a workflow that's genuinely greater than the sum of its parts. Cursor provides the visual, interactive development environment you're already comfortable with, while Claude Code adds sophisticated project-level analysis and automation capabilities.

Step-by-Step Integration

Step 1: Open Cursor and Your Project Start by opening Cursor and navigating to the project where you want to use Claude Code.

Step 2: Open the Integrated Terminal Use Cursor's integrated terminal by pressing Ctrl+Shift+ (backtick) on Windows/Linux or <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>Shift</kbd>+<kbd></kbd> on macOS.

Step 3: Launch Claude Code In the integrated terminal, run:

claude

The first time you do this, Claude Code will automatically detect that it's running within Cursor and install the necessary extension.

Step 4: Configure the Integration Once Claude Code is running, use the /config command:

> /config

Set the diff tool to "auto" for automatic IDE detection. This ensures that when Claude Code makes changes to your files, you'll see them displayed in Cursor's excellent diff viewer.

Key Integration Features

• Quick Launch: Use Cmd+Esc on macOS or Ctrl+Esc on Windows/Linux to open Claude Code instantly
• Automatic Context Sharing: Claude Code automatically knows about your current context in Cursor
• Integrated Diff Viewing: Changes appear in Cursor's diff viewer instead of just in the terminal
• File Reference Shortcuts: Use Cmd+Option+K on macOS or Alt+Ctrl+K on Windows/Linux to insert file references
• Diagnostic Integration: Claude Code receives information about any diagnostic errors that Cursor detects

Your First Claude Code Session

Starting your first Claude Code session is about learning how to communicate effectively with your new AI assistant. The interface is deliberately minimal—just a prompt where you can type your requests in plain English.

Basic Commands to Try

Project Analysis Commands

> summarize this project
> what's the main technology stack used here?
> show me the project structure

Code Exploration Commands

> explain how authentication works in this project
> find all the API endpoints and describe what they do
> identify any potential security issues

Simple Modification Commands

> add comments to this function [select a function in Cursor first]
> create a simple test for this module
> add error handling to this API endpoint

Simple Example Workflow

Let's walk through a typical first session. Imagine you've inherited a Node.js project:

Step 1: Initial Analysis

> summarize this project and tell me what it does

Step 2: Deeper Investigation

> show me all the API routes and what they do

Step 3: Identify Issues

> are there any obvious problems or improvements I should consider?

Step 4: Make Improvements

> add proper error handling to the user authentication routes

This workflow demonstrates how Claude Code can quickly bring you up to speed on a project and help you start making meaningful improvements.

Essential Configuration

Once you've completed your first session, customizing Claude Code will dramatically improve your experience.

Creating Your CLAUDE.md File

The most important customization is creating a CLAUDE.md file, which serves as a persistent knowledge base that Claude Code automatically references in every session [8].

Use Claude Code's built-in /init command:

> /init

This analyzes your project and generates a starter CLAUDE.md file with basic information about your project structure, dependencies, and coding patterns.

What to Include in CLAUDE.md

Common Commands and Workflows

# Development Commands
- npm run dev: Start the development server
- npm run test: Run the full test suite
- npm run build: Create production build

Code Style and Conventions

# Code Style Guidelines
- Use ES modules (import/export) syntax, not CommonJS (require)
- Prefer const over let, avoid var entirely
- Always include JSDoc comments for public functions

Project-Specific Notes

# Important Notes
- The legacy user authentication system requires special handling
- Database migrations must be run manually in production
- Some third-party APIs have sandbox vs production key differences

Quick Updates with the # Key

Press the # key followed by your instruction, and Claude Code will automatically incorporate that information into your CLAUDE.md file:

# Always run the linter before committing changes
# The API rate limit is 1000 requests per hour

Practical Workflows for Cursor Users

Understanding when to use Claude Code effectively is crucial for getting the most value from the tool.

Debugging Complex Issues

When you're dealing with intermittent bugs or complex system interactions:

> analyze the authentication system and identify potential causes for intermittent failures
> trace through a typical authentication request and show me all the points where failures could occur

Claude Code examines your entire authentication flow and identifies potential race conditions, timeout issues, or session storage inconsistencies.

Adding Features to Unfamiliar Code

When working with inherited projects:

> explain the overall architecture of this application and how new features are typically implemented
> add a user preference system that allows users to customize their dashboard layout, following the existing patterns

Claude Code understands existing patterns and implements new features while maintaining consistency with your codebase.

Large-Scale Refactoring

For significant code reorganization:

> analyze the user service module and propose a refactoring plan that would improve maintainability
> implement the refactoring plan we discussed, starting with extracting the validation functions

Claude Code performs refactoring systematically while ensuring functionality is preserved.

Pro Tips & Best Practices

Cost Management

• Batch Related Operations: Group related tasks into single sessions rather than multiple short sessions
• Optimize Context: Keep CLAUDE.md files focused and exclude irrelevant files from analysis
• Monitor Usage: Track your Claude Code costs and identify optimization opportunities

When to Use Claude Code vs Cursor

Use Claude Code For:

• Complex analysis requiring understanding across multiple files
• Large-scale refactoring operations
• Debugging issues that span multiple systems
• Working with unfamiliar codebases

Use Cursor For:

• Quick code completions during active coding
• Targeted changes to specific functions
• Real-time assistance while writing new code
• Simple refactoring within a single file

Communication Best Practices

• Be Specific: Instead of "improve this function," try "optimize this function for performance while maintaining readability"
• Provide Context: "This function is called frequently in our main user flow, so performance is critical"
• Ask for Alternatives: "Show me three different approaches to solving this problem"

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Over-Relying on the Tool

The Problem: Gradually stopping critical thinking about generated code.

How to Avoid: Always ask "Why?" and understand Claude Code's reasoning. Stay engaged in the process and regularly code without assistance to maintain your skills.

Not Reviewing Code Changes

The Problem: Accepting changes without thorough review.

How to Avoid: Use Cursor's diff viewer effectively, run tests after changes, and review for consistency with your project's patterns.

Poor Communication

The Problem: Vague requests leading to suboptimal results.

How to Avoid: Be specific about requirements, provide context about constraints, and break complex requests into steps.

What's Next?

Once you've mastered the basics, explore advanced features like Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration for extended capabilities, multi-agent workflows for complex projects, and custom tool development for your specific needs.

Stay updated with new features through Anthropic's documentation and engage with the growing Claude Code community for tips and best practices.

Conclusion

Claude Code represents a significant evolution in AI-assisted development, offering capabilities that complement and enhance traditional IDE-based tools like Cursor. For developers already comfortable with Cursor's excellent AI features, Claude Code provides a powerful addition that excels at complex analysis, large-scale operations, and systematic code management tasks.

The key insight is that Claude Code isn't a replacement for your existing workflow—it's an enhancement that handles complex, multi-step operations that are challenging with traditional IDE-based tools. While Cursor remains excellent for day-to-day coding, Claude Code shines when you need comprehensive codebase analysis or autonomous execution of complex tasks.

Start with simple analysis tasks to build confidence, gradually work up to more complex operations, and take time to properly configure the tool for your needs. The combination of Cursor and Claude Code creates a development environment that's genuinely greater than the sum of its parts, representing a powerful toolkit for modern software development.

References

[1] Anthropic. "Claude Code overview." https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/overview

[2] Cursor. "The AI Code Editor." https://www.cursor.com/

[3] Anthropic. "Claude Code." https://www.anthropic.com/claude-code

[4] Baugues, Greg. "Cursor Agent vs. Claude Code." March 13, 2025. https://www.haihai.ai/cursor-vs-claude-code/

[5] Baugues, Greg. "Cursor Agent vs. Claude Code." March 13, 2025. https://www.haihai.ai/cursor-vs-claude-code/

[6] Anthropic. "Set up Claude Code." https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/setup

[7] Anthropic. "Set up Claude Code." https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/setup

[8] Anthropic. "Claude Code: Best practices for agentic coding." April 18, 2025. https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/claude-code-best-practices